The benefits of fiberglass shingles

The benefits of fiberglass shingles

SIDEBAR

No matter what comes from the sky, your roof is the first and best line of defense against it. Whether it is rain, or snow, or hail, or UV rays, to protect your roof properly you must choose the right kind of shingles. Shingles are the flat overlapping pieces that protect your roof from all of nature’s elements. Think of shingles as your roof’s body armor.

Related Stories

Shingles come in many different styles, colors, and materials. They can be made out of asphalt, wood, fiberglass, or metal. How do you choose the right ones to protect your home?

Fiberglass shingles are the most popular material these days. Most houses have them, and there are good reasons for this. Fiberglass shingles are tough, dependable, and affordable. On top of that, they come in a variety of colors, so that you can match your roof’s armor to suit the rest of your house, your neighbourhood, and your climate.

Fiberglass shingles are a type of asphalt shingle that works especially well in cooler climates. (That means us, Canadians!) They’re not a fire hazard like some older wood shingles can be. And these shingles can be repaired over time, without having to replace the whole roof.

Having described all of that, you might think fiberglass shingles would be the most expensive form of armor for your roof, but they’re actually very affordable. As with anything else, you get what you pay for—and that’s true for fiberglass shingles as well. There are high-quality asphalt shingles, and low-quality ones. It goes without saying that the high-quality ones will last longer.

When asphalt shingles wear out over time, they can shrink and curl, exposing the nails used to hold them to the roof. When that happens, there’s the possibility of water damage. The key with any kind of shingle is to have it installed properly.